Variety of Chamaesyce plant named ‘SUMMER SNOW’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  chamaesyce  plant is provided which exhibits a compound, round habit and large flower bracts with small leaves.

Botanical classification: Chamaesyce hypericifolia(Euphorbiaceae)/Euphorbia hypericifolia.

Varietal denomination: ‘SUMMER SNOW’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofchamaesyce botanically classified as Chamaesyce hypericifolia(Euphorbiaceae)/Euphorbia hypericifolia and known by the varietal name‘SUMMER SNOW’. The new variety was discovered in an open planting areain the summer of 2008 in Erfurt, Germany as a naturally occurringmutation of ‘DIAMOND FROST’ (unpatented). Subsequently, the new varietywas asexually reproduced by vegetative cuttings in Erfurt, Germany inSeptember of 2008. Erfurt, Germany is a mountainous area in CentralEurope with a very dry climate.

The following characteristics distinguish the new variety fromchamaesyce varieties known to the breeder:

-   -   Compact and round habit;    -   More homogeneous;    -   Small leaves with big flower bracts; and    -   Unique asexual reproduction.

Further, ‘SUMMER SNOW’ has a much more compact growth habit than‘DIAMOND FROST’.

The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type throughsuccessive asexual propagations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new cultivar, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type:

FIG. 1 is a photograph of an entire plant of the new variety;

FIG. 2 is a photograph of an entire plant of the new variety; and

FIG. 3 is a close-up photograph of the flowers and leaves of the newvariety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The new variety was grown in a glass-covered greenhouse inGrolsheim, Germany with shade during the summer and no shade starting inSeptember. Growing temperatures ranged from 12-28° C. The new varietywas 4 months old from planting in an 11 cm. pot by itself whendescribed. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart ofThe Royal Horticultural Society of London and were identified undernatural light.

PLANT

-   Time to initiate roots: 10 days at an average temperature of 20° C.-   Time to develop roots: 15 days at an average temperature of 20° C.-   Rooting habit: Fibrous with a prop root system.-   Plant form: Round and branching; moderate growing; cymose    inflorescences.-   Height (from soil to top of foliage): 30 cm.-   Plant diameter: 30 cm.-   Branching habit: Upright and freely branching.-   Main stem:    -   -   Form.—Round.        -   Color.—RHS 146A.        -   Texture.—Plain, succulent, and glabrous.        -   Length.—5-10 cm.        -   Diameter.—2-3 cm.        -   Internode length.—5-7 cm.-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Number.—3-5 cm.        -   Color.—RHS 146A.        -   Texture.—Plain, succulent, and glabrous.        -   Length.—5-7 cm.        -   Diameter.—1 cm.        -   Internode length.—3-5 cm.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Panicle.        -   Number of leaves per branch.—10.        -   Size of leaf.—Length: 4 cm. Width: 1.5 cm.        -   Shape of leaf.—Oval to elliptical.        -   Apex shape.—Acute to obtuse.        -   Base shape.—Acute to obtuse.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Hairy, pilose, and pubescent.        -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface:            RHS 146B. Mature leaves: Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower            surface: RHS 147B.        -   Petiole.—Length: 2.5 cm. Diameter: 0.5-1 mm. Color: RHS            146A.        -   Veins.—Venation type: Pinnate. Upper and lower surface            color: RHS 147C.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Continuous flowering from spring to autumn    in Central Europe.-   Flower type and habit: Single rotate flowers arranged in umbel-like    terminal cymes. Flowers are persistent and not fragrant.-   Number of flowers per plant: 300-500.-   Bud (described in a closed state, 1 day before opening):    -   -   Shape.—Urceolate.        -   Diameter.—1-1.5 mm.        -   Length.—1.5-2.5 mm.        -   Color.—RHS 146A at the base with white spots on the top.-   Flower:    -   -   Shape.—Cathia is urceolate.        -   Diameter.—2-2.5 mm.        -   Length.—3-5 mm.        -   Bract.—Length: 9-10 mm. Width: 3-4.5 mm. Number: 1-3 per            flower.        -   Apex shape.—Oblanceolate to obtuse.        -   Texture.—Plain and glabrous.        -   Color.—When opening: Upper surface: RHS 155C. Lower surface:            RHS 155D. Fully opened: Upper surface: RHS 155C. Lower            surface: RHS 155D.-   Sepal:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Length.—1-2 mm.        -   Width.—0.2-0.4 mm.        -   Shape.—Round.        -   Apex shape.—Rounded to apex.        -   Base shape.—Entire.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Color.—RHS 155D.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—5-6 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.5-1 mm.        -   Color.—RHS 146B.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—3-4 per cyathia.        -   Filament length.—0.5-1 mm.        -   Anthers.—Shape: Oval. Length: 0.2-0.5 mm. Color: RHS 158C.        -   Pollen.—Color: RHS 158D. Amount: Scarce.-   Pistils:    -   -   Length.—3 mm.        -   Style.—Length: 0.1-0.3 mm. Color: RHS 155D.        -   Ovaries.—Length: 0.1-0.2 mm. Color: RHS 146A.        -   Stigma.—Shape: 5 parted. Color: RHS 155D.

GENERAL

-   Disease resistance: Very high resistance to powdery mildew and    common insects.-   Weather tolerance: The new variety grows between 10-40° C. It    tolerates heavy rain periods and very dry periods without stopping    flowering.-   Lasting quality: Flowers generally last between 10-18 days, but last    longer in moderate climate conditions.-   Seed/fruit production: None observed to date.

1. A new and distinct variety of chamaesyce plant substantially as isherein described and illustrated.